I have been trying for weeks now to get this nasty looking burnt brown stuff off the bottom of my little saute pan that I use for everything. It was so nasty looking to me I planned to throw it away and have even bought 2 new ones.

Low and Behold I have found the answer! Make sure the bottom of the pan is nice and dry. Put in the sink upside down and spray with oven cleaner. Leave it overnight. Next morning the stuff just wipes right off. I am repeating the process today because there are a couple of stubborn spots left but let me tell ya the rest of the pan looks like NEW!! Warning: I wouldn't recommend getting the stuff on the nonstick side though because it could eat it off.

Good tip jas. I use oven cleaner for lots of things but for greasy burned on stains, I try two other things first. There is a product called 'Mean Green' that you can get in Dollar Stores that you spray on and most times it will take burned on grease, caffeine, nicotine, or any tine off of anything. It works right away. Green pads are the best for this kind of cleaning too. Then, there is my grandma's old standby. Drizzle the surface of the pan (it should be in the sink to do this) with either white vinegar or lemon juice and sprinkle liberally with salt, the coarser the salt the better. Scrub with the green pad and it all comes off. This is incredible on copper pots.

My husband once found out that engine degreaser works incredibly well too on the bottom of baking pans and skillets. That really makes sense because of the heat that burns on oil on car engines.

Thanks Celadon, I'll have to try your other tips. I wonder why this isn't common information across the internet? I had tried all kinds of searches to find something that would work.

Yes, oven cleaner will clean it but it is not the healthiest cleaner to use! I use salt and white vingar, you do have to scrub harder, sometimes i use a paste made of comet leave it on and then scrub off......I never cook with non stick pans, they are made with a chimerical that might casue cancel......

I say hooray for oven cleaner! Anything that makes me NOT have to scrub is a good thing. I have a set of stainless pots and pans that I will be using this trick on. Thanks for the 411!

Thanks for all the kitchen tips!

When I used to have Merry Maids, they were miracle workers when it came to getting my stovetop drip pans clean...you know, the little bowl things that sit under the heating elements. Any idea what they used or do you think that your salt/vinegar would work? I've got some stubborn drip marks!